IDAS Frequently Asked Questions

3. What are the target users for IDAS?

4. Does using IDAS satisfy the FCC requirement for our system to change to narrowband technology by the end of 2012?

5. I've heard that future regulations will limit the channel spacing to 6.25 kHz and even 3.125 kHz — does IDAS satisfy those requirements, too?

6. How does the coverage in a digital communication site compare with analog FM?

7. How does the audio quality in digital mode compare with analog FM?

8. Does IDAS support scrambling or encryption for data and voice?

9. Can IDAS radios talk to my existing radios? Does my existing licenses allow me to use IDAS radios

10. Do I have to change my whole system to IDAS at the same time? Will IDAS radios work on my MDC 1200 system?

11. Is the IDAS software (firmware) the same for mobiles and handheld radios?

12. What will happen to my analog and IDAS radios when the year 2013 comes?

13. What are the future development plans for the IDAS system?

14. Is IDAS a trunking system? Can I use IDAS radios on my trunking system? If I decide to use IDAS for my trunking system, can other types of trunking radios be used as well?

15. Can current IDAS products be upgraded to be trunking capable?

16. What is the difference between IDAS and APCO P25?

17. How do I get a license to use the digital signal capabilities of IDAS radios? Are shared channel licenses available for IDAS technology? What frequency bands are approved for IDAS technology?

18. Can I use IDAS radios under an existing license?

19. What sort of GPS receiver is available for the IC-F5060 series radios?

20. When GPS microphone is used, what sort of information is displayed on the radio?

21. Is it possible to send voice and data simultaneously?

22. Is it possible to use analog signaling functions like CTCSS in the IC-FR5000/FR6000 series?

23. Is it possible to do remote programming or control of an IDAS repeater via IP?

24. Is any special equipment required for the repair or maintenance of IDAS products?

IDAS stands for Icom Digital Advanced System. IDAS is Icom’s version of the new NXDN™ radio technology, which stands for Next Generation Digital Narrowband. IDAS is the equipment and technology – the platform – Icom has created that operates using the NXDN™ system.

Icom was the first to bring NXDN™-compliant radios to market, giving Icom more than 2 ½ years of experience in the market with NXDN™ and ensuring that your product is thoroughly tested. Additionally, IDAS radios have excellent backward compatibility with a diverse assortment of the current analog technologies, making IDAS radios the most well-rounded choice when choosing your next generation radio system. Icom’s IDAS radio equipment can be used with your existing analog FM equipment and systems.

What is NXDN™

NXDN™ is a new “Common Air Interface” (CAI), the name for over-the-air methods by which radios and repeaters communicate. NXDN™ defines next-generation digital radio.

What are the target users for IDAS?

IDAS is aimed mainly at the business and industry markets, which consist of many categories like security, transportation, railways, construction, shopping malls, factories, taxi companies, hotels and transportation, security and railway companies to name a few.

Does using IDAS satisfy the FCC requirement for our system to change to narrowband technology by the end of 2012 (i.e. -12.5 kHz channel spacing)?

Not only does IDAS satisfy the requirement for 12.5 kHz channel spacing, but goes one step further – to 6.25 kHz spacing! This is one quarter of the bandwidth required by the obsolete 25 kHz channel spacing being phased out by the FCC. You won’t have to “narrowband” twice.

I’ve heard that future regulations will limit the channel spacing to 6.25 kHz and even 3.125 kHz – does IDAS satisfy those requirements, too?

The FCC has made it very clear that at some point in the future there will be regulatory restrictions to require a voice channel to occupy only 6.25 kHz. As for 3.125 kHz, there are no regulations currently proposed that would reduce channel spacing to this level, so this is not addressed by IDAS equipment.

How does the coverage in a digital communication site compare with analog FM?

In field tests carried out by Icom and other third parties, we have observed IDAS communication coverage in digital mode up to 20 percent more than the analog communication coverage. Some reports have indicated coverage of over 80km, but as with any wireless communications system, antenna height, topography and other factors all affect total communication range. What we can say is that there is no losing coverage in comparison with analog mode.

How does the audio quality in digital mode compare with analog FM?

Regarding digital audio versus analog audio, as indicated in the diagram above, the digital signal audio quality remains basically the same until the communication range is exceeded. The biggest difference you will notice is the lack of noise in the received audio of the digital signal. In most instances, the greater the distance between stations in analog mode, the noisier the signal gets. In digital, it sounds the same until the signal cuts off at the end of the communications range.

"Does IDAS support scrambling or encryption for data and voice?

IDAS provides for spectrum-inversion digital voice scrambling with a 15-bit key (more than 32,000 different codes). This encryption only applies to voice. Data encryption is the responsibility of the systems sending and receiving the data.

Can IDAS radios talk to my existing radios? Does my existing license allow me to use IDAS radios?

Your current analog radios and repeater system can be used by IDAS radios in the analog mode just like any other analog radio. IDAS and analog-only radios can talk directly to each other or through an analog repeater. IDAS system features will not be available on your current analog-only radios, however, because they do not use the NXDN™ protocol and signals.

Do I have to change my whole system to IDAS at the same time? Will IDAS radios work on my MDC 1200 system?

IDAS radios such as the F3161D portable and F5061D mobile configured to use the 12.5 kHz channel analog mode are fully compatible with current analog (non-trunking) systems, such as MDC 1200. To use an IDAS radio with both IDAS and analog systems, program one channel as a digital (IDAS) channel and another as an analog channel. This dual-mode capability allows you to gradually integrate IDAS technology into your current analog system.

Is the IDAS software (firmware) the same for mobiles and handheld radios?

Yes. As a result there is also only one version of the programming software.

What will happen to my analog and IDAS radios when the year 2013 comes?

As of January 1, 2013, the 25 kHz channels and analog FM equipment that use channels wider than 12.5 kHz will have to be abandoned. IDAS radio that use 12.5 kHz and 6.25 kHz channels will be quite useable before and after the transition.

What are the future development plans for the IDAS system?

At the moment we have the digital conventional and digital trunking features available for IDAS. While a timetable is still not fixed, Icom has the following enhancements planned for the IDAS system.

An IDAS PC feature: This will allow a PC to basically be an IDAS radio. A software kit will be provided that will allow the user or third parties to design the User Interface, what functions are to be used and other capabilities to customize the system to their requirements.
Conventional Wide Area IP Networking: This will allow the linking of individual repeater sites via IP to extend the communication coverage area.
An IP Command Set: This is being considered as art of the IDAS PC feature to extend the possibilities of the system enhancement. It will allow the linking of individual repeater sites via IP to extend the communication coverage area.
Multisite Trunking: Icom plans to add this functionality in the future too.
Improvements and addition of functions based on market feedback.

Is IDAS a trunking system? Can I use IDAS radios on my trunking system? If I decide to use IDAS for my trunking system, can other types of trunking radios work be used, as well?

IDAS includes the necessary provisions for two kinds of trunking. The most basic type of trunking uses both the channels available to use IDAS for voice communications. This type of trunking works with the central controller located at a single central site.

The second type of trunking system uses linked sites with the radio automatically roaming between the sites. This requires that one of the IDAS channels be used as a control channel. The data sent over the control channel coordinates the operation of the radios. This type of trunking is much more expensive than the single-site system.

Because the companies are pursuing different markets and types of users, Icom has decided to build IDAS systems that support single-site trunking, while Kenwood’s NEXEDGE trunking system is multiple-site. The two types of trunking systems are not compatible, so interoperability between the two is not currently possible. Both companies may decide to extend their product lines to be compatible with the alternative trunking system or add features that provide some of the alternative system’s capabilities.

Can current IDAS products be upgraded to be trunking capable?

Yes it is possible. Please contact your authorized Icom Distributor for details about the firmware upgrade as there are some restrictions on what older firmware revisions can be updated. Also, all IDAS radio and repeater products produced from October 2008 have the IDAS trunking ready firmware installed. The system can be enabled with the addition of the UC-FR5000 into the IC-FR5000/FR6000 series repeaters.

What is the difference between IDAS and APCO P25?

IDAS digital technology and P25 digital technology are not compatible because they do not use the same over-the-air protocol.

IDAS and P25 technology were specified and designed to support very different markets. IDAS radios are intended first and foremost for business and industry and are priced accordingly. P25 systems are required to support the high-end requirements of public-safety systems, such as secure encryption. If you compare the prices of P25 equipment to IDAS equipment, you’ll see a substantial difference.

For uses that are not “mission-critical” IDAS systems may be used by public safety agencies. In fact, IDAS is an excellent low-cost alternative to P25 for providing inter-agency interoperability where the requirements of P25 do not apply.

How do I get a license to use the digital signal capabilities of IDAS radios? Are shared channel licenses available for IDAS technology? What frequency bands are approved for IDAS technology?

IDAS technology is currently approved and in use on both the VHF and UHF land mobile radio frequency bands. The best way to get your IDAS 6.25 kHz radios licensed is to work with your favorite frequency coordinator. Icom has worked very hard with these coordinators over the past few years to assure that coordinating goes smoothly. Icom does not recommend specific coordinators.

Can I use IDAS radios under an existing license?

No. Using the new IDAS digital signals requires relicensing and coordination. IDAS uses a different type of modulation (over-the-air signal) than existing analog FM and would cause interference to analog-only signals and systems.

What sort of GPS receiver is available for the IC-F5060 series radios?

At this time we are testing the Bionics GPS-2 GPS receiver with the IC-F5060 series. Icom is still looking at a number of mapping applications to see what the best solutions are to recommend at this time.

When GPS microphone is used, what sort of information is displayed on the radio?

Nothing is displayed on the radio screen, but it is possible to use third party mapping software to show where a particular radio/vehicle is when using the GPS functionality.

Is it possible to send voice and data simultaneously?

No, simultaneous transmission of voice and data is not possible. The data transfer rate is fixed at 4800 bps with 3600 bps available for voice or data. Voice actually uses 2450 bps, but the remaining data amount is not sufficient enough to allow simultaneous transmission of data like GPS coordinates. This is a characteristic of the system itself. The radio can be set to send “Data=Voice” or “Voice-Data” in the order you desire upon PTT action. In actual use, the result is almost the same as if it was being sent simultaneously. In IDAS trunking, the repeater information is sent simultaneously with the voice.

Is it possible to use analog signaling functions like CTCSS in the IC-FR5000/FR6000 series?

Yes, it is possible. All analog signaling features available in IDAS terminal products (and other analog radio products) can be handled by an IDAS repeater.

Is it possible to do remote programming or control of an IDAS repeater via IP?

With the release of the UC-FR5000 network card, it is possible to:

set up a repeater for trunking functionality,
program the trunking parameters;
carry out some simple diagnostics of the repeater like PLL temperature and power connection (requires an application to do this which we are developing now).

The above can be done via IP connection. In the future, more advanced IP control features will be added to the system. As the UC-FR5000 is essentially a PC, it has the capacity to be upgraded with Icom and eventually third party applications to continually enhance the IDAS system.

Is any special equipment required for the repair or maintenance of IDAS products?

Icom has tried to keep the basic circuit design as similar to an existing analog FM circuit as possible, but some special equipment is required if you want to measure the sensitivity or similar specifications in the digital mode. For the most part, as the circuit hardware is the same irrespective of the operating mode, if the analog operation is working properly, then you can assume that the digital operation will be okay.